Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Andrew Desjardins out 4-6 weeks as Blackhawks roster comes into focus

The Hawks made a number of moves Monday that essentially put the roster opening night Wednesday and showed where the young forward made the team out of training camp.

The first domino was placed on Andrew Desjardins Jersey injured reserve after he suffered a lower-body injury prevents shot on Saturday, the Hawks' exhibition loss of Blues. Desjardins, 30-year-old veteran who more defensive presence to the bottom lines of four and six weeks, coach Joel Quenneville said.

The Hawks also give again a promising 19-year-old forward Alexandre Fortin for his junior team in Quebec and placed in Brandon Mashinter and Mark McNeill has waivers.

They mean moving forward prospects Tyler Motte, Nick Schmaltz, Vincent Hinostroza and Ryan Hartman on the roster Wednesday's opener against the Blues, along with 20-year-old defensive prospect Gustav Forsling. Counting defenseman Michal Kempny from the KHL signed in the offseason, the Hawks are probably six rookies in the lineup.

"It's different," Quenneville said. "But it certainly gives us some different options. We are looking to do some teaching at the earliest. We are aware that there may be some mistakes, but we want the quickness that we added to our team with these young guys."

Quenneville was a motte and Hartman is aligned with center Marcus Kruger rehearsal on Monday, while Schmaltz central line Hinostroza and veteran winger Jordin Tootoo. Quenneville again Jonathan Toews Marian Hossa on the top line and Artemi Panarin Patrick Kane Jersey on the second line.

"The league is getting younger and younger," Schmaltz said. "Young guys getting to be bigger roles in teams. We just wanted to come here and show we were capable of playing. We wanted to show our work ethic, show we can compete every night and (who) we can play with these guys. It's certainly a new journey here."

Because the young players who do not make the team, Quenneville said it was "tough" decision to place on Mashinter waivers.

The Hawks also missed Fortin, who was the surprise of the summer. He went undrafted player the opportunity to camp in July to earn a training camp in a three-year entry-level contract.

But Fortin can not play AHL age, so the Hawks had to decide whether to keep him in the NHL roster or send him back to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

By means of transfer Fortin, the Hawks can bring him until his junior season is over, but they prevent the clock begins his contract as long as he plays fewer than 10 NHL after his junior season.

Quenneville and the Hawks felt confident enough in the group that is here to give Fortin go.

"We have some of the freshness and novelty that can evolve, and we look forward to how every advantage of it," Quenneville said.